Utah Jazz notes: Mo Williams hopeful of playing at New Orleans

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The Jazz officially list Mo Williams' availability as a game-time decision for Wednesday night's game at New Orleans, but Utah's starting point guard is hopeful he will play.

Williams has missed the last two games with a sprained foot, but he participated in practice Tuesday morning and waited word on his status from trainer Gary Briggs.

"It's out of my hands," Williams said. "It's up to Briggsy. If he'll let me give it a go, I'll give it a go. I think his fear is a setback. You don't want to go too soon. You want to be smart. â¦ [But] we're very, very close. I feel good."

Williams had a walking boot removed from his right foot on Monday, when he secretly worked out of his own prior to Utah's 105-103 comeback win over Denver.

"Don't tell them," Williams said. "â¦ But I'm itching. It's sickening to watch. I'm just glad my teammates were able to pull out a win. Trust me, it would hurt a little more if we'd lost."

In Williams' absence, veterans Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson have played well.

Tinsley had 15 points and six assists in 35 minutes against the Nuggets.

Watson, who has just returned after undergoing major knee surgery in April, scored five points in 13 minutes.

Of course, the point guard rotation will become an issue once Williams, Tinsley and Watson are ready to play at the same time.

"We'll get it worked out," coach Tyrone Corbin said. "We'll just see what gives us the best chance. Jamaal and Earl have played well the last few games. Jamaal [has] started to make shots. â¦

"It's just another one of those things. We've got three guys we feel great about putting into the game and we'll just see what gives us the best chance."

Another big road test

The Jazz are only 2-7 on the road, heading into their upcoming three-game journey to New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Houston.

Utah's only road wins have come against Toronto (140-133 in triple overtime) and Washington (83-76). The Raptors are now 3-12 after Tuesday night's 117-101 loss at Houston. The Wizards are 0-12.

What must the Jazz do to win more consistently on the road?

"I think [sustain] our aggressiveness for longer periods of time," Corbin said. "And we've got to learn not to put ourselves in a hole  that it's got to be 48 minutes of complete fight. We have to make sure we find a way to do that."

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